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Remembering Governor Spellman

Remembering Governor Spellman

The Jan. 16 death of former Gov. John D. Spellman at 91 prompted personal reminiscences from several staffers in the Office of the Secretary of State who knew Spellman during and after his 1981-85 time in state office. State Archivist Steve Excell, who served as Gov. Spellman’s chief of staff, said in a television interview with KING-5 that Spellman had changed his life, as well as those of countless Washingtonians. “He was a true statesman,” Excell said. “He was a…

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Top 2 Primary producing finalists for WA General Election

Top 2 Primary producing finalists for WA General Election

Washington voters began clearing the decks for the fall General Election by choosing their favorite candidates to advance, using a qualifying election called the Top 2 Primary. There were surprises — such as several state Senate and House incumbents who were attempting to fend off strong challenges — and the twist of producing several marquee November matchups that will feature finalists from the same party. For the first time, it appears that two candidates from the same party will vie…

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Countdown for WA Primary 2016!

Countdown for WA Primary 2016!

Washington’s state Primary voting period is winding down, with Top 2 slots on the line for all nine statewide offices, U.S. Senate, Legislature, courts and assorted local races. Although voters have been super-engaged in the national presidential contest, response to the state Primary has been tepid in the  days leading up to the Tuesday deadline.  As of the weekend, the 39 counties reported receiving 583,489 ballots, or 14.3 percent of the 4,092,951 issued. None were processed over the weekend. Here…

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White stuff gets Governor’s son in trouble

White stuff gets Governor’s son in trouble

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library It was a criminal story bound to generate headlines. Federal agents storm a mansion in Seattle, the home of a former Governor’s son. In the course of their search they discover a large amount of a white powdery substance hidden behind a sofa and an arrest is made. It was flour. Around 600 pounds of it. Here’s the report from the Seattle Daily Times, August…

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WA 2012 election is underway!

WA 2012 election is underway!

Washington’s long-awaited General Election is underway. Over 3.85 million registered voters are being mailed their ballots by their county elections office, starting Wednesday, and the official Voters’ Pamphlet already has arrived in most Washington homes. Voters are free to mark and return the ballots just as soon as they wish, Secretary of State Sam Reed noted today.  Postmark deadline is Nov. 6, although Reed strongly recommended that voters get their ballots in the mail several days ahead of that so…

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Anna Agnes Maley, First Woman to Run for Washington Governor, 1912

Anna Agnes Maley, First Woman to Run for Washington Governor, 1912

Random News from the Newspapers on Microfilm Collection: Anna Agnes Maley, First Woman to Run for Washington Governor, 1912 From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library:  The microfilm reel found at random this week contained The Clayton News-Letter, a publication that served the Stevens County community of Clayton for a little over a year, 1912-1913. The town was so named in recognition of the rich clay deposits in the area, a source…

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Don’t forget to vote in Primary!

Don’t forget to vote in Primary!

(Pierce County elections workers process Primary Election ballots that were returned.) After weeks of media stories, editorials and campaign ads and mailings, it’s finally here: P-Day, better known as Primary Election Day here in Washington. Thanks to our state’s vote-by-mail system, Washington voters have had a fortnight to ponder, fill out and return their ballot before Tuesday’s 8 p.m. deadline. Well, ponder no more. Your ballots are due. If you haven’t returned your ballot yet, do it before it’s too…

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Reed urges strong Top 2 Primary turnout

Reed urges strong Top 2 Primary turnout

Secretary of State Sam Reed is urging a great turnout for Washington’s Top 2 Primary, which offers voters a chance to pick finalists for Governor, U.S. Congress, Legislature, and many state and local offices.  Tuesday is your deadline for mail ballots to be postmarked or placed in county election dropbox. Reed says the election offers ballot draws for just about everyone: “This is one of those watershed election years, and the action begins with the primary. There are lots of…

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And they’re off and running!

And they’re off and running!

Washington’s campaign season is officially under way. Filing Week opened with a bang Monday with hundreds of candidates statewide filing for office.  There are 344 state offices open this year, along with potentially thousands of party precinct committee officer slots. Besides the presidential election and a U.S. Senate race, the state has an unusually rich assortment of open offices this year that are sure to attract heavy attention this week, says Secretary of State Sam Reed.  Reed himself is an…

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